James McCutchen earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English from The College of Charleston, Juris Doctor (J.D.) cum laude from Charleston School of Law, Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, and Certificate in State in Local Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

James is admitted to practice law in the State of South Carolina, U.S. Federal Court for the District of South Carolina, and U.S. Tax Court. He serves as a Council member of the South Carolina Bar Tax Law Section and member of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the Bar. Moreover, James has been certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a mediator in Probate Law and Civil Law.

During law school, James served as a member of The Charleston Law Review, associate justice of the moot court board, and captain of the advanced mock trial team. He also served as a member of the honor council. While a student at the College of Charleston, James served as the captain of the advanced mock trial team, representing the College at tournaments across the United States.

Before starting his own practice, James served as a tax litigation attorney, tax policy attorney, and attorney for the Office of General Counsel for the South Carolina Department of Revenue for six years. James handled various legal matters for the Department, including contractual and procurement, collection, and Taxation.

At McCutchen McLean, LLC James handles a variety of legal issues including tax resolution and controversy, complex estate planning, probate conflict and administration, and he serves as corporate counsel for several small to medium-size businesses. James previously served as the Privacy Officer of the South Carolina Department of Revenue where he learned a great deal about information technology security law and IT contract law.  He has continued to practice in these areas in the private sector for his business clients.

James is married to Allison McCutchen, who previously served as a respiratory therapist at Lexington Medical Center and currently serves as a member of the Town of Lexington Beautification Committee. They have three children, two boys, and one girl.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English, College of Charleston
• Juris Doctor (J.D.), Charleston School of Law, Cum Laude
• Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, Georgetown University Law center
• Graduate Certificate, State and Local Taxation, Georgetown University Law Center

CALI Awards (Highest Grade In Class)

• Legal Research and Writing
• Healthcare Law
• Federal Income Taxation

Bar Membership

South Carolina Bar, November 2011

• Member, Lexington County Bar Association
• Attorney Coach, River Bluff High School Mock Trial Team (2013-Present)
• Former Treasurer, Charleston Law Alumni Board of Directors (2013-2015)

Contact James L. McCutchen today to see how the McCutchen McLean team can assist you.

Robin R. McLean earned a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from Georgia State University in 1992. She earned a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law in 1995.

Robin is admitted to practice in both South Carolina and Georgia. In addition, she is admitted in the United States District Court District of South Carolina and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Prior to forming McCutchen McLean, LLC, Robin R. McLean worked in a small firm in Lexington County, serving local and state-wide clients, in addition to serving clients with matters in Georgia. During that time, she litigated numerous civil and family court cases to conclusion. In addition to her family court cases before a trial judge, many of her other civil cases involved jury trials. In  2011, she opened her own law firm, continuing to serve clients in both South Carolina and Georgia with various legal matters. Robin enjoyed balancing her challenging work life with raising her son.

Robin has practiced law in many areas including domestic and family law (separation, divorce, child custody, visitation and child support, spousal support, property division, adult and minor names changes), employment and discrimination matters, workers’ compensation, estate planning, probate, and personal injury matters. Although she continues to practice in these areas, the majority of her current cases involve family law.

Moreover, Robin R. McLean has been certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a mediator in Family and Probate Law.

Volunteering her time is also a passion. Robin R. McLean has given free seminars in the area of family law on behalf of the State Bar of South Carolina. She is also a constant volunteer for the South Carolina Bar Ask-a-Lawyer drive featured on WLTX where she answers legal questions for callers. Additionally, she has volunteered her time as an attorney coach for the mock trial team at River Bluff High School; she has judged mock trial competitions at the high school and college levels, and she enjoys serving on several South Carolina Bar committees and sub-committees.

Robin R. McLean has attended Christian Life Assembly Church for over twenty years. Her deep love for the Lord, the law, and the people she serves are the driving forces behind her decades of legal practice.  She is eager to assist her clients in vigorous, impassioned, and knowledgeable representation.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Georgia State University Cum Laude
• Juris Doctor, Georgia State University College of Law

Affiliations

• Member, Lexington County Bar Association
• Attorney Coach, River Bluff High School Mock Trial Team (2014-Present)

Court Admissions

• South Carolina
• Georgia
• United States District Court District of South Carolina
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Contact Robin R. McLean today to see how the McCutchen McLean team can assist you.

Claire Dorbandt earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science from Louisiana State University (LSU) before pursuing law school. Claire earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While in school, Claire gained experience as a Law Clerk where she conducted legal research and prepared legal memoranda. She was also a Research Assistant at the Rule of Law Collaborative where she assisted in drafting white paper reports, conducted extensive research for staff, and traveled both domestically and abroad for seminars promoting the rule of law. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching college football, and cooking.

At McCutchen McLean, LLC, Claire focuses on family law matters, including contested and uncontested divorces, name changes, modifications and child support issues.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science, Louisiana State University
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of South Carolina School of Law

Sydney Willingham graduated cum laude from the University of South Carolina, where she received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science. She earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Charleston School of Law. 

While in law school, Sydney gained experience clerking for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, participating as a research intern for the Supreme Court Historical Society, and working at the firm Bybee & Tibbals, LLC. She also was an active member of her school’s Children & Family Law Society where she served as Treasurer. 

Sydney served as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem and participated in the Judicial Observation and Experience (J.O.E.) Program in family court. During her free time, Sydney enjoys reading, spending time with family & friends, tennis, cooking, and hanging out with her pets. At McCutchen McLean, LLC, Sydney serves as an associate attorney on our family law practice group.

Chandler was born in Atlanta, Georgia and earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration from The Citadel. He also earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Charleston School of Law. He has gained experience in Estate Planning and Real Estate closings, while working for McCutchen McLean LLC. In his spare time, he loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, and watch sports (especially Georgia Football).